Extending the longest streak in NCAA Division III history, the Central College volleyball team has received the U.S. Marine Corps/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for a record 20th consecutive year.

To receive the AVCA distinction, a team’s combined grade point average for the preceding year must be 3.30 or higher on a 4.0 scale. The Dutch posted a 3.50 average for 2019-20, led by spring graduate Erin Dilger, who recorded a perfect 4.0 average. The AVCA program is in its 28th year and Central is among 231 Division III schools cited this year.

Central had eight players earn academic all-American Rivers Conference recognition last fall, which requires a 3.50 or better cumulative GPA. That group included Brooke Caves, Courtney Comstock, Jenna Decker, Erin Dilger, DaLana Kron, Krissa Larson, Alyssa Lewton and Landry Luhring.